Conventional sex
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Within a given culture or subculture, sexual behavior that falls within the range of what is considered normal is referred to as conventional sex, also known colloquially as vanilla sex.[1] A further meaning of conventional sex is penetrative sexual activity that lacks any BDSM, kink, or fetish components.[1]
Key facts and history
Among Western heterosexual couples, conventional sex often refers to missionary position intercourse.[2] The British Medical Journal defines conventional sex between homosexual couples as "sex that does not extend beyond affection, mutual masturbation, and oral and anal sex"[3] The term "vanilla" for conventional sex likely originated in the 1970s kink movement, according to historian Hallie Lieberman.[4] A 1942 LIFE magazine article provides a notable early instance of this metaphorical use.[5]
For more than two centuries, vanilla has held the position of the most popular ice cream flavor, which caused it to become linked with the concepts of plainness or conventionality.[6] The use of "vanilla" to mean conventional gained its figurative sense during the 1970s, although earlier uses of the term in that way have been documented.[6] Numerous recorded uses of the term originate from discussions within gay and lesbian communities in the 1970s, a period marked by increased visibility and activism.[5]
What the cited sources add
In relationships where only one partner enjoys less conventional sex, that partner is often called the vanilla partner.[7] Such individuals can be erroneously branded unadventurous, but exploration may help them discover new facets of their sexuality.[7] The term "vanilla" leverages the polysemic nature of the word, meaning both the flavor and "conventional" depending on context.[8] For individuals with vanilla preferences, locating themselves on what is commonly called the "vanilla-kink spectrum" may provide them with complete satisfaction.[9]
References
- Wikipedia, "Conventional sex" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Loynaz, "Exploring Personality and Sexual Behavior: BDSM and Vanilla Practices as Complementary Lenses", San Francisco State University, August 2021, p. 31 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Conventional sex" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Iovine, "When It Comes to 'Vanilla Sex,' No Two People Taste the Same Flavor", VICE, 2019-02-14 (we also read that source) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Conventional sex" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Bell, "Homosexual men and women", BMJ, 13 February 1999, p. 452–5; Carroll, "Sexuality Now: Embracing Diversity", Cengage Learning, 2009, p. 629; Halberstam, "Female Masculinity", Duke University Press, 1998, p. 61 (we also read that source) en.wikipedia.org
- Iovine, "When It Comes to 'Vanilla Sex,' No Two People Taste the Same Flavor", VICE, 2019-02-14. facts only, no text reused. vice.com
- Wikipedia, "Conventional sex" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Murrell-Harvey, "Lexiculture: Papers on English Words and Culture", Glossographia, 2014 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Conventional sex" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "Why plain old vanilla is the world's favourite ice cream flavour", CBC Radio, May 19, 2022; Murrell-Harvey, "Lexiculture: Papers on English Words and Culture", Glossographia, 2014 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Conventional sex" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Nichols, "Sadomasochism: Powerful Pleasures", Harrington Park Press, 2006, p. 281 (we also read that source) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Conventional sex" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Tiidenberg, "Vanilla normies and fellow pervs: Boundary work on sexual platforms", Sexualities, 2023, p. 1794–1810 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Conventional sex" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Goerlich, "With Sprinkles on Top: Everything Vanilla People and Their Kinky Partners Need to Know to Communicate, Explore, and Connect", Sounds True, 2023 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
Each numbered sentence above was checked against the source it cites before publication. Sentences citing Wikipedia adapt text from the English Wikipedia article Conventional sex (contributors), used under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is available under the same licence. Other sources were used for facts only; no text or images are copied from them.
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Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Conventional sex (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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